Chapter 24—The Christian Father and Mother
As you faithfully do your duty in the home, the father as a priest of
the household, the mother as a home missionary, you are multiplying
agencies for doing good outside of the home. As you improve your
own powers, you are becoming better fitted to labor in the church and
in the neighborhood. By binding your children to yourselves and to
God, fathers and mothers and children become laborers together with
God
The Sacredness of a Mother’s Work
Woman should fill the position which God originally designed for
her, as her husband’s equal. The world needs mothers who are mothers
not merely in name but in every sense of the word. We may safely say
that the distinctive duties of woman are more sacred, more holy, than
those of man. Let woman realize the sacredness of her work and in
the strength and fear of God take up her life mission. Let her educate
her children for usefulness in this world and for a home in the better
world.
The wife and mother should not sacrifice her strength and allow
her powers to lie dormant, leaning wholly upon her husband. Her
individuality cannot be merged in his. She should feel that she is her
husband’s equal—to stand by his side, she faithful at her post of duty
and he at his. Her work in the education of her children is in every
respect as elevating and ennobling as any post of duty he may be called
to fill, even if it is to be the chief magistrate of the nation.
The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother.
The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the
molding of her children’s characters, that they may be fitted for the
higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for
in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize
the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let
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Testimonies for the Church 7:67
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